Taxpayers nationwide are organizing to demand Bank of America reform its ways. Led by SEIU, MoveOn.org, and other community groups, people from all over the U.S. are demanding that Bank of America fire CEO Ken Lewis and change the way they do business. We bailed them out, now they need to listen to us.Will you stand up and demand Bank of America change its way? To learn more click here: http://takebacktheeconomy.org/

Conservatives are desperate to see President Obama fail. Seems to me to be quite unpatriotic to put their political preferences above the safety, security, and well being of the American people and the nation.

If you like it, click through to YouTube after you watch the whole thing, watch it again, and rate it!

Don't forget to share this with your friends on Facebook (via msgs, walls and your status), Twitter and wherever else you can!

On Tuesday, April 28th, taxpayers will stand up against corporate greed, rallying at 100s of Bank of America branches across the nation. Led by SEIU, CCC, Unions, US Action, MoveOn.org, and more, protesters are calling for the firing of CEO Ken Lewis, the end to consumer and predatory lending practices, and a commitment to real financial reform.

Click here to learn how to participate and why Bank of America needs reform.

Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami says they don't have to allow their patients visitors

Janice Langbehn and Lisa Pond, together 18 years, were about to depart from Miami on a family cruise with their three children, when Lisa suddenly collapsed. From the moment Janice and the children arrived at Jackson Memorial Hospital, they encountered prejudice and apathy. The hospital refused to accept information from Janice regarding Lisa's medical history, informing her that she was in an antigay city and state and that she could expect to receive no information or acknowledgment as family. A doctor finally spoke with Janice, telling her that there was no chance of recovery. Despite the doctor's acknowledgment that no medical reason existed to prevent visitation -- and despite the fact that Janice held a durable healthcare power of attorney for Lisa -- no hospital employee would allow Janice or the couple's children to see Lisa until nearly eight hours after their arrival.

Lambda Legal has filed a lawsuit against Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida on behalf of Janice Langbehn and her three children. In its response to the lawsuit, the hospital does not dispute Janice's account of what happened that night. Instead, they claim they did nothing wrong.

The Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) is appalled by the hospital's positions and, with the support of other gay rights groups, we are establishing the Committee for Fair Visitation at Jackson Memorial Hospital to ensure that what happened to Lisa and her family doesn't continue to happen to other patients at Jackson Memorial. Members of the Committee include Equality Florida, Fight Out Loud, Gay and Lesbian Community Center of South Florida, GLMA, Lambda Legal, Save Dade, and the Fort Lauderdale LGBT Center.

The Committee for Fair Visitation at Jackson Memorial Hospital has requested an opportunity to meet with members of the Public Health Trust Board of Trustees in order to discuss these issues. But we also need your help. Our goal is to build a broad coalition of groups and individuals that will help us call on the hospital to change their visitation policies. We want Jackson Memorial to carry out their commitment to quality patient care by adopting a comprehensive visitation policy that:

1. Affirms all patients' rights to have visitors;2. Includes same sex-partners and their children in its definition of family and does not restrict visitors to biological family members;3. Outlines a clear process for determining when visitors will be restricted and how that will be communicated; and4. Includes a grievance procedure that can be acted on quickly in an emergency situation.

Here's what you can do:

If you live in Miami or anywhere in the state of Florida click here to join the coalition and receive updates about the work of the Committee for Fair Visitation at Jackson Memorial Hospital and learn more about how you can get involved to call on the hospital to change their visitation policies. Also, click here to join the Committee for Fair Visitation at Jackson Memorial Hospital Facebook page.

We are also seeking organizations in Florida, as well as nationally, to join the Committee for Fair Visitation at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Click here [PDF] to download a sign-up form to add your organization's name to the Committee for Fair Visitation at Jackson Memorial Hospital. When you complete this form, fax to (415) 255-4784 or email to jbeaudreau@glma.org.

Finally, please consider forwarding this message to others who you think would join the Committee for Fair Visitation at Jackson Memorial Hospital.

It all comes down to this: Because of grassroots pressure, Republicans didn't have the votes to block reconciliation for health care. Republicans are threatening procedural war, but it looks very likely that a minority of Senators will not be able to block health care reform this time. And so the GOP has a choice: They can work with Democrats in good faith (something they have declined to do so far), or they can be ignored as Democrats pass the health reform this country so desperately needs with a simple majority vote in the Senate.

Either way, progressives won a victory last night, and we're one step closer to winning quality, affordable health care for all.

San Francisco's Green960 announces 'Goddess of Progressive Talk' to be syndicated by Premiere Radio Networks, home to Limbaugh, Hannity and other rightwing talkers

Updated: Premiere announces return date of May 11, show to broadcast live from D.C....

Following a nearly two-month absence from the airwaves, Progressive radio talker Randi Rhodes is set to return, according to an announcement this afternoon from John Scott of San Francisco's Green960 (KKGN). She will be syndicated by Premiere Radio Networks as reported in a video-taped announcement just posted on the Green960 website.

Premiere is known for their national syndication of far-right talkers such as Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Dr. Laura and Glenn Beck. Rhodes, known by fans as the "Goddess of Progressive Talk", had formerly been with NovaM Radio, which folded when she left, and at Air America Radio prior to that...

Please read the following, I would greatly appreciate anything you can do for this great cause, Just like the Obama campaign, Either five, ten or twnety dollars. It will make a great difference.!!

Please join me on April 30th, when I and several others will be named HOPE'S HEROES by Broward House, our local HIV/AIDS service organization. I am honored and moved that Broward House recognized my work and efforts in our community, and want to share this recognition with you.

I believe in hope. It's only a four letter word, but it means so much, just like LOVE. Right now, when we are all facing hard economic times, it's even tougher for those who truly need our support -- because they may have nowhere else to go.

Please be so generous to give what you can, so I can reach my personal goal for the Hope's Heroes program, and so Broward House can serve those who need help. Please click onwww.browardhouse.org and find the link forHope's Heroes to make your contribution. Thank you !

Attached is information that will give you a better insight what Broward House does and what it stands for.Thank you from the bottom of my heart, and God Bless you.Sincerely yours,Michael A. Albetta

With less than three weeks left in the session, the Senate is about to unveil a major elections measure that could greatly reshape the 2010 elections, as well as change the role of the two political parties.

The Senate Ethics and Elections Committee on Thursday will consider SB 956 - a so-called "shell bill" sponsored by Sen. J.D Alexander. Sen. Alex Diaz de la Portilla has come up with a 72-page amendment that covers everything from the purging of voter names from the rolls, voter registration, interviewing voters outside of polling places, allows for the recreation of leadership funds by the Senate President and House Speaker, and gives sitting lawmakers more control over the state party.

Some of the major changes include:

* Taking away the governor's ability to appoint 10 people to the state executive committee that picks the chairman of the party. Current Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer got his job initially with the help of that change. The new measure would instead increase the representation on the executive committee of sitting state legislators.

* Allows political committees formed in other states to work in Florida - without having to comply with any laws requiring registration or disclosure of finances.

* Allows potential candidates for office to do polls testing the waters without having to open a campaign account first. Political parties could also do polls on potential candidates and share the results.

* Expands the type of help that political parties can do on behalf of candidates, including spending unlimited amounts on "communications media."

* Gives the speaker, Senate president, minority and majority leaders the green-light to create leadership funds that were previously banned. (Although it can be argued that legislators can sidestep this prohibition by setting up their own committee of continuous existence.)

* Subject the executive director of the state Elections Commission to Senate confirmation. (Diaz de la Portilla had a long-running battle with the elections commission that he largely won. During that time, he accused the executive director of being biased against him.)

* Requires election supervisors to regularly get information from the U.S. Social Security Administration on whether people died and to purge the names of dead voters within 7 days.

* Gives the Secretary of State the right to call for recounts instead of waiting for the canvassing commission to order them.

* No one shall "solicit" information from voters standing in lines outside of polling places whether in person or by means of "audio or visual equipment."

* Creates a new section of law that says all election matters are "preempted to the state" unless set out by law.

* Would block potential voters from having their registration information verified on Election Day. All new applicants must have their registration validated before that day.

* Would change the law to say that if a "vacancy in nomination" for a race does not occur if that candidate did not properly qualify.

Despite these attempts to make the "movement" appear organic, the principle organizers of the local events are actually the lobbyist-run think tanks Americans for Prosperity and Freedom Works. The two groups are heavily staffed and well funded, and are providing all the logistical and public relations work necessary for planning coast-to-coast protests:

– Freedom Works staffers coordinate conference calls among protesters, contacting conservative activists to give them "sign ideas, sample press releases, and a map of events around the country."

– Freedom Works staffers apparently moved to "take over" the planning of local events in Florida.

– Freedom Works provides how-to guides for delivering a "clear message" to the public and media.

Congress will begin voting on President Obama's budget today. It's a big test not only for President Obama, but for our entire movement. Taking just a few minutes to call Congress now could make a major impact on this crucial vote.

Will you call your elected representatives to let them know you support a budget that tackles the long-term challenges to our prosperity?

According to our records, you live in zip code 33312, Florida's 20th congressional district.

I have an announcement. After four exciting years in Washington, I'm hitting the campaign trail again! Only this time, I'm campaigning to help President Obama win health care for all.

During the election, President Obama proposed a health care plan that would give every American the freedom to choose between keeping their private insurance—if they have any—and choosing a universally available public health insurance option like Medicare.

But for-profit insurance companies and HMOs are already working hard to strip this public health insurance option from any upcoming health care bill. They don't want us to have a choice, and they'll stop at nothing to kill real reform. Trouble is, some in Congress are siding with the insurance companies—and against what's best for the rest of us.

Today, we draw a line in the sand. A public health insurance option is the only way to guarantee health care for all Americans. And to show that we mean business, we all need to tell Congress we won't settle for less.

If 250,000 of you sign this petition, I will personally deliver it to Congress. Clicking here will add your name:

Here's our message to Congress: "Give America a choice. We support health care reform that allows individual Americans to choose either a universally available public health care option like Medicare or for-profit private insurance. A public option is the only way to guarantee health care for all Americans and its inclusion is non-negotiable. Any legislation without the choice of a public option is only insurance reform and not the health care reform America needs."

The fight is heating up over whether or not to include the public health insurance option. This is going to be the biggest fight in the debate over health care reform. It would take the power away from the private insurance companies that have driven up costs and denied coverage for years—and they're dead set against it.

But I've seen firsthand what people power can accomplish. And I know I can count on MoveOn members to help lead the charge.

Now is our moment to stand up. Together, we can generate broad-based support for a public health insurance option. We will need to canvass our neighborhoods, call our elected leaders, and arrange meetings with members of Congress in the coming months.

Our goal today is to show Congress that we are many and ready to fight. Can you click here to stand with me?

After you add your name, spread the word to your friends, family, and co-workers. Send a personal email and include a link to the website, update your Facebook status to tell people about the campaign, write a blog post about why you support this campaign—we need all hands on deck to win this fight.

Thank you for all you do.

Gov. Howard Dean, M.D.

PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

New show to complement Olbermann, Maddow

Talkradio host Ed Schultz has landed his own show on MSNBC, after much speculation that the cabler was looking for another liberal voice to complement its combination of Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow.

"The Ed Show" will debut Monday in the 6 p.m. ET hour currently occupied by "1600 Pennsylvania Avenue." The host of the latter show, David Shuster, will host a two-hour afternoon show at 3 p.m. ET along with Tamron Hall. Norah O'Donnell, who currently hosts that hour, will move to a morning time period which has yet to be announced.

Buoyed by the traction the network has received from "Countdown With Keith Olbermann" and "The Rachel Maddow Show," MSNBC was said to be looking for a host to follow their shows in primetime at 10 p.m. ET. But MSNBC president Phil Griffin has said that a repeat of Olbermann's show in that time period does well for the network, making them more reluctant to alter the lineup. For the first time ever in March, the network edged out CNN in the primetime hours from 8 to 11 p.m., although Fox News Channel continued to hold a wide lead over both networks.

An unabashed liberal who touts his rural, middle-America credentials, Schultz hosts the syndicated radio program "The Ed Schultz Show," aired on 100 stations across the country. He has appeared on MSNBC numerous times, and recently filled in for Shuster on "1600." But some of his greatest exposure came at President Obama's first press conference in February, when he was conspicuously seated in the front row along with Washington journalists.

"He's already made his mark in radio and I'm excited to see what he'll do with the 6 p.m. hour," Griffin said in a statement.

We have reached a critical point here in Tallahassee - we have just 24 hours left to secure a hearing for the Florida Civil Rights Bill or it will die in the Senate Commerce committee. We believe we have a strong majority of support on the committee, but we must get a hearing.

Please join us for an emergency call regarding the civil rights bill (SB 2012, Sen. Deutch) this evening at 6:30 p.m. We will be discussing all last minute options to put pressure on the committee to schedule the bill.

Call information:

What: Emergency Call on the Civil Rights Bill

When: 6:30pm tonight (4/1)

Dial In: 1-518-825-1300 PIN#: 129345#

Thank you for being a part of the powerful coalition working on this critical issue. I look forward to talking with you tonight!

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About Me

I am progressive. I am liberal. I make no apologies. I believe government has an obligation to create an even playing field for all of this country's citizens and immigrants alike. I am not a socialist. I do not seek enforced equality. However, there has to be equality of opportunity, and the private sector, left to its own devices, will never achieve this goal. This site is for Liberals and progressives news and commentary.- Ron Mills 954-394-4980 Ron@RonMills.us